Five workers were killed and 10 others suffered serious injuries after a two-tonne boiler exploded at TIL Healthcare’s pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Sri City, in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district, on Saturday morning.
The blast occurred around 8.30am during a shift change, triggering a fire and causing extensive damage to the boiler unit. TIL Healthcare, part of Tablets India Limited, manufactures tablets, capsules and injectables at its facility in the Sri City Special Economic Zone.
Five workers die after blast
Four workers died at the site or shortly after the explosion, while another worker, Vasu from Tada, was shifted to Chennai for advanced treatment but later succumbed to his injuries. The deceased have been identified as Gourab Roy from West Bengal, Chinna Mastan from Cherivi village, Ramesh from Madurapakkam, Mohan from Naidukuppam and Vasu from Tada.
The injured workers were evacuated and taken to hospitals. Emergency response teams, police and local officials reached the facility and launched rescue and relief operations.
The blast occurred on the morning after Gandhi Jayanti, which was a holiday, meaning only essential personnel were present at the plant. Sri City managing director Ravindra Sannareddy said the facility has around 500 workers, but only essential staff were on duty.
Cause of explosion under investigation
The exact cause of the boiler explosion has not yet been conclusively established. Authorities are examining whether a mechanical or technical failure, an operational lapse or shortcomings in safety systems contributed to the accident.
A preliminary investigation by the district administration and company officials has reportedly examined the possibility that inadequate water supply to the boiler may have triggered the blast. However, the cause remains subject to a detailed technical investigation.
The Andhra Pradesh government has ordered a high-level inquiry and directed third-party safety audits of industries operating in the Sri City industrial hub. A case has also been registered, while a special investigation involving officials from the Boilers, Factories and Industries departments and police has been constituted.
The state's boiler inspector, Ram Babu, has been suspended following the incident. The boiler had reportedly undergone a mandatory inspection in April and was certified as fit, according to company officials. Investigators will examine the roles of the boiler inspector, industrial safety officials and others before deciding on further legal action.
Government announces compensation for families
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and directed officials to expedite relief measures.
Education and IT minister Nara Lokesh also expressed grief over the deaths and injuries, saying the government would stand by the affected families. He directed officials to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.
The state government has announced ₹50 lakh in compensation for each deceased worker's family and will bear funeral and medical expenses. Sri City Foundation has also said it will support the affected families by providing employment to eligible relatives and funding the education of the deceased workers' children.
Sri City said the incident was the first of its kind in the industrial hub's 18-year history. The management added that safety monitoring had been strengthened following another boiler-related industrial accident in Andhra Pradesh and that it would cooperate with the investigation.
TIL Healthcare director Ajay Kumar said the company would cooperate with the authorities and the investigation. The company has also asked the boiler manufacturer to examine the equipment to determine what caused the explosion.
The accident has renewed concerns over industrial safety in Andhra Pradesh, following other fatal incidents at industrial facilities in the state in recent months.